TAKING on the Taliban, scorpions and camel spiders were all part of the daily routine for a Nantwich soldier who has spent six months in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Major Kurt Ray, 36, of C Battalion, 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (3RHA), spoke about his demanding tour upon his return to his barracks in Germany where he had an emotional reunion with wife Marisa.

Former Malbank School pupil Kurt, who has also served in Iraq, Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Canada, Kenya and Poland since he joined the army in 1988, was put through some rugged desert living.

He said: “We were literally in the middle of nowhere. The land was arid and flat and you could see for six or seven km around which was helpful so that we could spot the enemy approaching.

“The temperatures reached 60 degrees and there was no air conditioning, but things got cooler at night when we slept under the stars.

“There wasn’t very much time to get bored in Afghanistan, it was quite a busy place and there were a lot of vehicle convoys coming through our location.

“But when we did have some spare time at the main camp there was always something to do. We had a gym, table tennis, a television and DVDs. We also played cards sometimes.”

Kurt was among 93 soldiers of 3RHA to return after being deployed in mid-March as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade to Afghanistan.

They were instrumental in helping the Afghan army fight the Taliban and allowing the British army to deliver a much needed generator to the Kajaki Dam in Helmand Province.

Kurt, whose parents Edward and Pauline still live in Nantwich, is glad his tour is over and happy to be back with his wife.

He said: “I am really pleased to get back. I spoke with my wife regularly on the phone but obviously it’s not the same as being at home.

“I know that she has a lot of washing up for me to do when I get home and a lot of other jobs around the house which I can’t wait to get started on.”

His wife Marisa added: “Yes, I have prepared a lot of work for him to do so it’s great having him back. Seriously though it is so good to see him, I have tried to keep busy in my job at the army learning centre, and the army welfare office has been very helpful in helping me keep my spirits up and arranging get-togethers for all the wives.”

Kurt and Marisa are now planning a two-week holiday to Cyprus where they have recently bought a house. He goes back to his Germany-based army duties in a month.